The building design was based on the Palazzo Vecchio town hall situated in the Piazza della Signoria, Florence, Italy.

[2] During the Second World War, the building and 110-foot (34 m) tall tower were considerably damaged by aerial bombing but and were later repaired in a more functional instead of architectural style.

[4] As part of the Wirral Waters development, a new plan for the site was completed in March 2008 for a £12 million redevelopment and restoration of the building by Peel Holdings for it to be converted into a restaurant and bar.

[5] These plans never came to fruition and in September 2015 it was announced that the tower would become part of a £30 million advanced manufacturing and engineering skills centre.

[6] Known as the 'Hydraulic Tower and Generator Project', owners Peel intend to create 90,000 sq ft (8,400 m2) of space for offices and workspaces for small to medium fast-growing businesses.